FAO match anglers: I'm looking for a long rod

[fishinmidget]

Right lads, It has become apparent that a long rod would be a useful addition to my kit for match fishing.

I would like it to be around 15', be able to cast around half an ounce to maybe 3 ounces and have pretty good bite detection. I have looked at the Grauvell Teklon Surf and it seems to fit the bill, has anyone used them?

Also, the cheaper the better, i will pay for a decent rod if i have to, but i would rather save money to be honest. If money was no object i would have to buy the sexy Grauvell Teklon Competition Surf II. But i don't have 1300 euro spare

Any advice and recommendations would be welcome, along with other tips like what reel to pair it with and what braid ye use.

Thanks lads

Alex

P.S. No comments about me not fishing, i'm getting back into it i swear

[fish4fun]

Added one last year for pegged matches. Have to admit it only gets a bit use when on my travels or the odd bit of pleasure fishing. As such didn't want to pay much so went for Daiwa Emcast, 15'4. Teamed it with a Salt fixed spool loaded with braid and tapered leader and it goes ok. Paid about £56 from Veals. Can't give a long term review but has done what I wanted so far. Hope it helps.

[junior conger]

i just got a k2 red metal twin tip yesterday,used it for a match and loved it,it has a match tip that casts 2-4oz and a heavy tip that casts 4-7oz i think its 15ft

[BassBE]

Judging by the criteria, I'd go for a cono-flex foo fighter. It's 4,5Mtrs and optimum casting weight about 100Grams, only weighs 485grams. Haven't tried one myself but read good things about these rods.

[roger de dodger]

any rod over 8 foot would be long for you midget have you looked at any of the grauvell telescopic rods?they have come on a long way and if your only lookin to chuck 1 to 3 oz they may fit the bill i have a 12 foot one for the summer and its great with 3 oz and braid some of the longer ones have very fine tips ?

[round_ourway]

penn affinity twin tip 14ft..brilliant match rod

I have to admit I still use me Anyfish Anywhere Surf.. amazing rod, very deceiving power in the blank, but only chuck 4oz at range

I have used Century SRE's, Supermatch, penn affinitys, Zziplex HSM, TF50/50, Profile

[shamoo0804]

Alex,

I have a Conoflex Foo Fighter myself and must admit when conditions allow its a lovely rod to use.

I've used it for scratching in close for flats and bass and fishing at distance for smoothies.

It handles the better fish very well with its through action and transmits the fight of the fish very well right through to the butt.........much more enjoyable playing the fish than with a stiffer rod.

Wouldnt use it with the wind up or a big surf as the tip is too soft, but in calm conditions i love it, a gentle cast will put a bait good distance and its very forgiving when using soft baits such as crab or a bunch of maddies.

Great tip for bite detection at all ranges.

Use mine with an original 7ht, but presume with you mentioning braid your looking to pair it with a f/s reel so I cant help there too much sorry.

3oz with baits is about the most I go to, but it will handle 4oz at a push.

I'd imagine though with a mid size f/s reel and 20/30lb braid you'd have a great setup for match fishing.

However, whilst I've had double and treble dogs on mine, its no hauling machine, so not really suitable if the dogs are out in force.

[Al and Jordan]

depending on how tight things are for you on the cash font the entire shakespear salt range of rods are being updated for 2011. so all suppliers have slashed the entire range by half price in anticapation for the new range coming. funny thing is that the only thing different with the new range will be the graphics on the rods . so you can pick up the long surf at half rrp i bought 2 for what you are paying they are a great rod. a great bargin for £65. obviously you get what you pay for so you could'nt compare it with the big money rods, but if you are limited by budget they do the trick just fine

[mickm]

i am a long rod fan myself, i use greys triplex 16 foot and penn o tech 16.5 foot. Greys is paired with ultegra and penn with shimano technium msg, great set ups for all types of fishing, have used both for everything from scratching to smoothies at range, Good bite detection and no problems bullying a big fish if needs be, both a bit expensive but well worth it if you willing to pay for them although u might pick up the greys second hand fairly resonable

[markyb]

dont buy a foo fighter,your very limited to what you can use them for,defo a no go with a fixed spool on it as the lowest eye and all the rest of the eyes are very small which means havin to put in extra power to cast any sort of distance which defeats the purpose of the long rod with delicate baits and if you use a small multiplier its very awkward to fish with half oz+1oz leads and cast any distance over 20yards which will limit you again,the grauvells are a good range of rods,fox conqueror multi tip and k2 rods.
regards
markyb

[BigPhil]

for what u are lookin alex the conqueror is a fine tool.

[roger de dodger]

just got a grauvell teklon surf mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm nice up to 4 oz ,5oz pushing it a bit but nice and castable for an old fella like me